Across the wooden bridge
through fern trees
the pony walks on the outer edge of the track
a hairbreadth away from the foamy torrent.
We passed gujars
on the way to high pastures
camped on trackside clearings.
Young boys herded goats,
skipping amongst the rocks
they hawked goat-milk cakes.
Beyond the camping ground of Aru
we followed the stream's course
through smooth grassy slopes
full of wild flowers
till we reached the snowbridge
of Liddarwat.
A lone butterfly
had accompanied us.